Tag Archives: craft gifts

Mention the word “pie” and I’m there in a heartbeat. So news of this Saturday’s 10-hour “craft rave” at Bragg’s Pie Factory in Phoenix had my fork fingers poised for action — until I remembered that their pies are a thing of the past.

Though the factory, built in 1947, served as a bakery for two decades — it’s since been renovated and added to a national historic register. Nowadays the downtown Phoenix venue houses “art studios, small businesses & special events.” Guess my fork will have to find its way back into the drawer.

Proof that dads can be crafty too

Here’s the scoop on this Saturday’s event — It takes place from 2pm until midnight, and it’s hosted by a couple of crafters named Kathy Cano-Murillo (also known as “The Crafty Chica“) and Cyndi Coon of Laboratory 5. You’ve seen Coon’s art if you’ve been to the “Artists and their Children” exhibit at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art young@art gallery.

The idea, I’m told, is for folks to make homemade gifts at the craft rave rather than shopping their fool heads off. My wording, not theirs. I’m sure the crafty folks are far less tacky when not armed with glue guns. You can get into this shindig for just $5, then choose from all sorts of crafting options. Some are free, and others cost $5, $1o or $15.

Ashley looks like a careful crafter

The first 1oo people in the door get “goodie bags” provided by event sponsors Michaels, Provo Craft and iLoveToCreate — and there are lots of raffle prizes too. Think I can finagle a special prize for making the most crafts shaped like a slice of pie? I find pecan, strawberry and peach pie ever so inspiring. Even if Bragg’s has become a BYOP joint.

Looks like more than a dozen artists will be teaching crafts at the event. There’s Sarah Spencer on button bracelets, Stacy Rebecca on finger puppets, Cyndi Coon on jewelry and hairwear, Marrissa Vidrio on handmade journals and Meghan Olesen on felted soap. For the ornament inclined, Felicity Snyder will teach embroidery ornaments and Mia Murrilo will teach glitter ornaments and nails (that way your hands look lovely while you’re hanging those babies on the tree).

Coon notes that several of the projects are great for kids and teens, including microbead jewelry (taught by Mary Beth), painted bangle bracelets (taught by Kathy Cano-Murrilo) and custom lip balms (taught by Heather Ellis). Even duct tape projects by Joe Angel Rolis, which sound like they might fit both the “nice” and “naughty” people on your holiday list.

Molly and Ronan making t-shirt yarn jewelry

Lots of families and kids attended last year’s event, according to Coon, who offers this additional enticement to those of you still sitting on the fence about mall versus make-it-yourself gifts — Lots and lots of marshmallow PEEPS® will be in the house. Eat them. Craft with them. Fantasize about making pie with them. Take your picture with them. It’s your call. PEEPS has donated them for your enjoyment, because that’s just the way of the PEEPS. So much the better if you decide to enter their “Deck the PEEPS” contest.

Glitter, PEEPS and duct tape. Every Saturday should be so splendid.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to read about “Craftapalooza 2011″ with Raising Arizona Kids calendar and directories editor Mala Blomquist, who somehow manages to bake and craft beyond even Martha’s wildest dreams amidst a myriad of RAK responsibilities and time devoted to hubby, daughters and pets galore.